Foundation of Light named Charity Club of the Year

Foundation of Light was recently named ‘Charity Club of the Year’ at the Club Mirror magazine’s Club Awards in Leicester.

This wasn’t the only Foundation win of the night with four participants working with Sunderland AFC’s official charity taking home individual awards.

The Club Awards have been around since 1992, celebrating the incredible work of clubs across the UK, and this year’s awards night at Leicester’s Athena Venue was one to remember for the Foundation.

Foundation of Light took home the Charity Club of the Year award for their wide-ranging work in an often-overlooked region, from offering inclusive sport and play for all, raising educational attainment through various study and employability programmes, to tackling poor physical and mental health in the North East.

Ken Riley, a legendary figure at the Foundation, won a Long Service Recognition award after celebrating 30 years as a coach for the charity earlier this year.

Andy Williams was given a Volunteer Recognition award for his commitment to the Foundation Community Club and his personal coaching development, always looking for opportunities to learn and improve the experience for young players.

Premier League Kicks participant Laila Johnson was awarded the Young Ambassador award after completing over 1,000 hours of sessions, and becoming a volunteer with the Foundation, which helped her earn a place at university.

James Stanness won the Community Hero award for his work promoting the Game of II Halves campaign after initially joining the Foundation through Wear Together sessions and Befriending Phone Calls following several heartbreaking bereavements.

"We are immensely proud to have been named Charity Club of the Year," said Foundation of Light Managing Director, Jamie Wright.

"This award highlights the incredible work we do with over 20,000 people each year, from all walks of life.

"It’s particularly rewarding to see some of our staff, volunteers, and participants also recognised—it demonstrates the amazing people we have at the Foundation of Light."